Laos is a land locked country that is often overlooked because of the popularity of its neighbors, especially Vietnam and Thailand but its popularity is rising, and rightly so. It’s a fairly poor country, mountainous and beautiful.

Laos is now an independent state with a fairly progressive communist government which is tolerant of religion and has undertaken a programme of urbanisation and industrialisation. The fall of the USSR may well have accelerated that policy. Despite being a one party communist state

Visa travel is the norm these days but countries like Laos have realised that it is important to make them readily available to tourists on Laos travel packages. A good Laos tour operator will certainly be able to advise you about the requirements. In most cases a visa can now be obtained on arrival; the main airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse are the most popular places of entry and each has the facility to provide a visa if needed.

The Lao are a strand of the Tai people of South East Asia; the Al Lao were mentioned as long ago as the Hang Dynasty in China and Vietnam in what is now Yunnan Province.

Even though external influences have brought change to Laos traditions prevail particularly on special occasions. That is reflected in clothes. While in urban areas western style clothing is seen regularly during the working day Lao people have certainly held on to the colourful clothing that they take out whenever there is something to celebrate.

While there are similarities between the different cuisines of South East Asia, there are also several differences, country to country. The produce that chefs have throughout the region and there has been significant movement

Laos has many attractions; the natural environment, culture and history. Music and the arts make an important contribution of life as well and those who book Laos travel packages are likely to see and hear traditional performances. They have developed over many centuries and there is determination that such things will continue to live on.

The ancient town of Luang Prabang in the center of northern Laos has been described as one of the most charming and best preserved towns in Southeast Asia. There are 34 Buddhist temples among Luang Prabang's colonial and Chinese architectures, all set in a backdrop of lush green mountains.

Travellers to exotic countries inevitably bring back great memories, an album of photographs and usually some local craft souvenirs/ If you take a Laos travel package

Laos is a fascinating country to explore and even with its two distinct weather seasons, it is still a wonderful country to travel to year-round. Laos’ climate is fairly straightforward and consists

While there is evidence of human settlement in the Iron Age it was the Khmer Empire in the 9th Century that lasted for a few centuries that was the real beginning of Cambodia

Traditional Khmer dress goes back many centuries; little has changed. Prior to the Khmer Empire the style of clothing showed major Indian influence but gradually things changed. Fashion has come and gone but often tradition has been revived and today Cambodian clothing is both colourful and traditional. A good Cambodia travel agency will introduce visitors to the local costumes.

Cambodia’s majority is Khmer, an ethnic group that makes up 90% of the national population of just over 15 million. There are Khmer people also living in neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand with perhaps 1 million in Thailand and possibly many more in Vietnam, largely in the Mekong Delta?

Tradition plays a huge role in Cambodian life. The people embrace their culture and this takes the form of festivals and special events. If you are enjoying Cambodia tour packages when there is something on the calendar, then there is a good chance that you will see it. Some events centre on the capital Phnom Penh but others are nationwide.

Song and dance are an important part of life. In Asia, these things are often part of tradition. Cambodia tour packages involve sights and sounds, day and night. During a holiday that offers a comprehensive insight into Cambodia it is likely that song and dance will play a part.